The RCCF (the Forum) – an Introduction and Our Purpose

Background

• Established in January 2022, the Forum is made up of the lead member and lead officer of each county-based climate change partnership or equivalent, representing 50 local authorities across the East of England region. Cllr Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire Council, ended his tenure as original Forum Chair in January 2024.
• The Forum is currently chaired by Cllr Peter Schwier, Climate Czar Essex County Council. Cllr Lucy Nethsingha Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council is the Vice-Chair, and Matt Partridge Chief Executive of Stevenage District Council is the lead Chief Executive Officer for climate change in the
• The East of England Local Government Association (EELGA) facilitates and provides support to deliver agreed priorities and objectives for the Forum.

A message from Councillor Peter Schwier, Chair of the RCCF:

“My ambitions for the Forum are to continue the great work already done and drive further progress at pace across all of our priority areas, to be able to evidence the impact of reduced emissions and our contribution to net zero.  I am also fully committed to ensuring that central government understands both the requirements of the East of England and the opportunities our region can offer.”

Please click here to see the full press release announcing Cllr Schwier’s appointment as Chair of the RCCF in February 2024

 

Matt Partridge, RCCF Lead Chief Executive Officer	Councillor Lucy Nethsingha, RCCF Vice-Chair

 

Purpose

• Following a commissioned baseline report, the Forum agreed an ambitious set of eight priority activities, judged to achieve the greatest regional impact and support delivery of net zero.
• A supporting action plan has been created aiming to provide regional-level support for local authorities in achieving their climate change related targets, adding real value to the work already being undertaken locally and reducing duplication.